Meeting Events

Meeting: 9jiuh7gazju.city_council_meeting_7_21_2025

Meeting date: 2025-07-21

Meeting type: city_council

This is a deterministic derived artifact, not official meeting minutes. Related records may be grouped for review while complete machine provenance remains in the JSON artifact.

Decisions and Votes

• Allow Alderman Parker to attend remotely

  • Summary: Motion made to allow Alderman Parker to attend remotely.
  • Evidence: “I would entertain a motion to allow Alderman Parker to attend remotely. So move.”
  • Evidence: “Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, and John. I seconded by Alderman Shadle. Madam Clerk, could you please take the role on that? Stacy? Yes. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? On remote attendance by Don Parker? Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Oh wait do you need to call roll again for Alderman Parker are you good call roll attorney for Zito or just oh yes alder person Parker can you hear us yeah Alderman Parker could you lead us from the Pledge of Allegiance please yes I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God Fletcher Legions flag in the United States of America.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:55

• Approval of Agenda Item 1: Adding Recognition from John Cabello — Approved

  • Summary: Motion made to add a recognition from John Cabello for the Illinois State Division of American Water Works Association Gold Level to the agenda after the certificate of recognition and public comment.
  • Evidence: “Item number one is the approval of the agenda. However, we’re going to add one right after the certificate of recognition and public comment to be a recognition from John Cabello for the Illinois State Division of American Water Works Association Gold Level. That would be approved. Is there such a motion to approve the agenda? So moved.”
  • Source timestamp: 04:45

• Approval of Agenda Item 1: Approval of the Agenda — Passed

  • Summary: Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers, to approve the agenda.
  • Evidence: “Second. Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?”
  • Evidence: “Parker. Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. And Johnson? Aye. The motion passes 7 to 0.”
  • Source timestamp: 05:13

• Approval of Minutes from June 16th, 2025 and July 7th, 2025 — Passed

  • Summary: Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers, to approve the minutes from the regular meeting on June 16th, 2025 and July 7th, 2025.
  • Evidence: “Item number 2 is approval of the minutes from the regular meeting on June 16th, 2025 and July 7th, 2025. Is there a motion to approve? I got cut off, I know. Second. The motion is made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.”
  • Evidence: “Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll? Parker? Aye. Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Motion passes, five to two.”
  • Source timestamp: 05:34

• Approval of Consent Agenda items — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to approve the consent agenda items.
  • Attribution: Alderman Shadle
  • Evidence: “So moved. Second.”
  • Evidence: “Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, Sellers, Klemm, Johnson, and Simmons. The motion passes 7-1.”
  • Source timestamp: 12:48

• Roll Call Vote on Item 7 (Second Reading of Ordinance 2025-43) — Passed

  • Summary: Voting record for Item number 7, second reading of ordinance 2025-43.
  • Attribution: Madam Clerk
  • Evidence: “Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Parker? I’ll come back to him. Stacy? Yes. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. And one last time. Alderperson, Parker? How do you vote? I can’t hear. I’m so sorry. Thank you. It passes 8 to 0.”
  • Source timestamp: 16:26

• Ordinance 2025-43: Municipal grocery retailers occupation tax and municipal grocery service occupation tax — Passed

  • Summary: Voting record for Ordinance 2025-43.
  • Attribution: Madam Clerk
  • Evidence: “Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Absolutely not. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. And Simmons? No. The ordinance passes 5 to 3.”
  • Source timestamp: 18:00

• Ordinance 2025-44: Overweight and Oversized Permitting Changes

  • Summary: Motion to move forward with ordinance changes for section 460.11.
  • Evidence: “Sir, motion to move this forward. So moved.”
  • Source timestamp: 19:59

• Overweight and oversized City of Freeport permit form permitting required inside city limits

  • Summary: Motion to move forward with ordinance changes for 460.11.
  • Evidence: “Staff recommends moving forward with ordinance changes for 460.11. Sir, motion to move this forward. So moved.”
  • Source timestamp: 19:16

• Zoning reclassification for Smith Building (2-6 E. Stephenson)

  • Summary: Motion to suspend the rules and move forward with the zoning ordinance change.
  • Evidence: “Huff is recommending a suspension of the rules on this and also moving it forward. Is there a motion to move this forward? So moved.”
  • Source timestamp: 26:36

• Move to move forward with business

  • Summary: A motion was made regarding moving the current item forward.
  • Evidence: “Huff is recommending a suspension of the rules on this and also moving it forward. Is there a motion to move this forward? So moved.”
  • Source timestamp: 26:36

• Motion to move ordinance forward

  • Summary: A motion was made regarding moving the item forward.
  • Evidence: “Second. A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm.”
  • Source timestamp: 26:45

• Motion to suspend rules for final passage

  • Summary: A motion was made to suspend the rules before considering the final passage of an ordinance.
  • Evidence: “If there’s no further discussion, I’ll entertain a motion to suspend the rules. We maintain a motion to suspend the rules. So moved.”
  • Source timestamp: 29:47

• Motion for suspension of rules (final) — Passed

  • Summary: A formal motion was made to suspend the rules.
  • Evidence: “We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Shadle for suspension of the rules.”
  • Evidence: “Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll on the suspension? Parker. Tell him to get off that. Tell him to put his beard down. Parker. Aye. Stacy. Aye. The suspension passes 8 to 0.”
  • Source timestamp: 29:55

• Motion for final passage of ordinance — Passed

  • Summary: A motion was made regarding the final passage of an ordinance.
  • Evidence: “So then before you now is for the final passage of this ordinance. Is there any further discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll.”
  • Evidence: “Parker, Stacey, Shadle, Saddle, Sanders, Sellers, Klemm, Johnson, Simmons. The ordinance passes 7-1.”
  • Source timestamp: 30:22

• Motion on zoning map amendment (B1 to B2)

  • Summary: A motion was made regarding the zoning map amendment for 105-107 West Main Street.
  • Evidence: “We have a motion made by Aldrin Klemm, seconded by Aldrin Shadle. Discussion on this ordinance?”
  • Source timestamp: 34:05

• Suspension of Rules for Council Meeting — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to suspend the rules.
  • Attribution: Alderman Klemm
  • Evidence: “Madam Mayor Alderman Klemm, motion to suspend the rules second we have a motion made by Alderman Klemm seconded by Alderman Shadle for suspension of the rules again suspension of the rules is non debatable must pass by two-thirds majority madam Clerk, would you please take the roll on the suspension?”
  • Evidence: “Parker. Are you waiting for the echo to go away? Parker. Aye. Stacy. Aye. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Plem. Aye. Johnson. No. And Simmons. Aye. The motion passes for suspension seven to one.”
  • Source timestamp: 39:54

• Final Passage of Ordinance 2025-46 — Passed

  • Summary: Motion regarding the final passage of ordinance 2025-46.
  • Evidence: “So then before you counsel is the final passage of ordinance 2025-46. Any further discussion?”
  • Evidence: “Parker? Aye. Stacy? Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? No. And Simmons? No. The ordinance passes 6-2.”
  • Source timestamp: 40:19

• Suspension of rules for dog grooming business sign

  • Summary: Motion made by Alderman Seller, seconded by Alderman Shadle.
  • Attribution: Alderman Seller, Alderman Klemm
  • Evidence: “Move this forward. So move. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Seller, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the ordinance. Madam Mayor. Alderman Klemm. Motion to suspend the rules.”
  • Evidence: “Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Shadle for suspension of the rules.”
  • Source timestamp: 43:59

• Suspension of rules (first instance) — Passed

  • Summary: The suspension passes seven to zero.
  • Attribution: Council
  • Evidence: “Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll on the suspension? Parker. Stacy. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. And Simmons? Aye. The suspension passes seven to zero.”
  • Source timestamp: 43:59

• Suspension of rules (second instance) — Passed

  • Summary: The motion passes seven to zero.
  • Attribution: Council
  • Evidence: “If there’s no further discussion, Madam Clerk please take the roll. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson and Simmons. Also Alderperson Parker, are you prepared to vote? We have plenty. The motion passes seven to zero.”
  • Source timestamp: 44:45

• Moving forward with the matter discussed

  • Summary: A motion was made to move a previously discussed matter forward.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sellers
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to move this forward? So moved. Second.”
  • Source timestamp: 26:45

• Moving ordinance 2025-49 forward for vote

  • Summary: A motion was made to move the ordinance amending Chapter 1252 of the Zoning Code concerning service of alcoholic liquors forward.
  • Attribution: Alderman Shadle
  • Evidence: “So moved. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Johnson to move this ordinance forward.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:01:15

• Ratification of emergency debris removal costs — Passed

  • Summary: Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Klemm.
  • Evidence: “So moved. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Klemm.”
  • Evidence: “Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. And Simmons? It passes six to one to one.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:23:48

• Ratification of emergency water main repairs by Fisher excavating on Galena Avenue near the Lincoln Mall entrance — Adopted

  • Summary: Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm.
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm.”
  • Evidence: “Parker? Stacy? Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm, Johnson, and Simmons is absent at the moment. The resolution is adopted seven to zero.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:26:37

• Adoption of resolution 202578 (Emergency Dispatch Center AC Repair) — Adopted

  • Summary: The resolution was adopted seven to zero.
  • Evidence: “The resolution is adopted seven to zero. Item number 17 is adoption of resolution 202578.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:29:35

• Adoption of Resolution Ratifying Emergency Dispatch Center AC Repair — Adopted

  • Summary: Motion to adopt the resolution.
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second.”
  • Evidence: “The resolution is adopted 8-0. Item number 18 is the adoption of resolution 2025-79.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:33:29

• Adoption of payment for emergency lighting repairs — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to adopt the payment of $15,523.31 to William Charles Electric for emergency lighting repairs.
  • Attribution: Alderman Shadle, City Council
  • Evidence: “I’ll move. Second. Is there a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers?”
  • Evidence: “Parker? I’ll speak for him. Aye. Stacy? Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. And Simmons? Aye. The resolution is adopted 8-0.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:35:26

• Approval of Resolution for Merrick Crane Rental TIF Agreement

  • Summary: Motion to approve the resolution regarding the redevelopment agreement for Merrick Crane Rental.
  • Evidence: “So we’ve budgeted for situations like this where we can work with developers on projects. And with that bearing that in mind staff is recommending approval of this resolution. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:42:32

• Adoption of Resolution 2025-82 (ratifying emergency purchase) — Passed

  • Summary: The vote tally for the adoption of resolution 2025-82 was 5 to 2 to 1.
  • Evidence: “Parker? Yes. Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. And Simmons? 1, 2, 3, 4. The resolution is adopted 5 to 2 to 1.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:52:32

• Adoption of resolution ratifying emergency AC unit purchase

  • Summary: Motion to adopt the resolution ratifying the emergency purchase of a portable air conditioner.
  • Attribution: Alderman Shadle
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm.”

• Ratification of emergency purchase of portable AC unit

  • Summary: Motion to adopt the emergency purchase of a $11,126.34 portable AC unit.
  • Evidence: “So staff would request a ratification of that emergency purchase. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:55:20

• Ratification of emergency purchase of portable AC unit — Passed

  • Summary: Vote on the motion to adopt the emergency purchase of a portable AC unit.
  • Evidence: “Parker. Aye. Stacy. Aye. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Klemm. Aye. Johnson. Aye. And Simmons. The resolution is adapted 8-0.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:57:53

• Ratification of emergency rental of portable AC unit (Police Dept) — Passed

  • Summary: Vote on the motion to ratify the emergency rental of a portable air-conditioning unit for the police department.
  • Evidence: “So staff is requesting us move forward with this ratifying this emergency rental. Is there a motion to adopt? So move. Second.”
  • Evidence: “Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. The resolution is adopted 8-0.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:59:24

• Adoption of resolution 2025-84 (purchase of two pickup trucks) — Adopted

  • Summary: The resolution was adopted with a vote tally of 8-0.
  • Evidence: “Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. The resolution is adopted 8-0.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:59:24

• Adoption of two budgeted purchase vehicles from Barco Chevy

  • Summary: Motion to adopt the recommended purchase of two trucks from Barco Chevy.
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to adopt? Second. Motion made by Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Sellers.”

• Approval of bid (Item 23)

  • Summary: The resolution was adapted with a vote tally of 7 to 1.
  • Evidence: “Parker. That was a yes, Curt. Stacy? Yes. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. And Simmons? No. The resolution is adapted 7 to 1. Item number 23 is approval of the bid.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:05:04

• Resolution Adoption Outcome — Adopted

  • Summary: The resolution was adopted 7 to 1.
  • Evidence: “The resolution is adapted 7 to 1.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:05:43

• Adoption of Fishers Excavating Bid for Demolition — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to adopt the bid from Fishers Excavating.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sellers
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Klemm.”
  • Evidence: “The motion passes 8-0.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:06:59

• Reconstruction of driveway approach, parking pad and sewer line for the fire station — Passed

  • Summary: Motion made by Alderman Sellers.
  • Attribution: City staff, Alderman Sellers, City Council
  • Evidence: “staff requests council approval to move forward with this Reconstruction of the driveway approach the parking pad and the sewer line. Is there a motion to approve?”
  • Evidence: “So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Sellers,”
  • Evidence: “Parker? Stacy? Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? And that motion passes 8 to 0”
  • Source timestamp: 02:06:59

Procedural Actions

• Call to Order and Roll Call

  • Summary: The meeting proceeded with a roll call.
  • Attribution: Mayor Miller
  • Evidence: “Could you Please call the roll.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:19

• Consent Agenda approval of various records and payments

  • Summary: The consent agenda included approving to receive and place on file board and commission Minutes from the Library Board of Trustees, Liquor Commission minutes, Fire Department and Police Department Reports for June 2025, Financial and Cash and Investment Reports for May 2025, Semi-Annual Report from the Liquor Commission to the City Manager January to June 2025, finance bills payable in the total of $4,356,129.25 and the approval of payroll for pay period ending July 12th 2025 in the total of $678,388.40.
  • Evidence: “The consent agenda consists of approving to receive and place on file the board and commission Minutes from the Library Board of Trustees, April 9th, May 14th, and June 11th, the Liquor Commission from May 8th, June 11th, 23rd, and 26th, as well as the Fire Department and Police Department Reports for June 2025, the Financial and Cash and Investment Reports for May 2025, the Semi-Annual Report from the Liquor Commission to the City Manager January to June 2025, the finance bills payable in the total of $4,356,129.25 and the approval of payroll for pay period ending July 12th 2025 in the total of $678,388.40.”
  • Source timestamp: 12:02

• Moving to next agenda item

  • Summary: The council will move on to item number 14.
  • Evidence: “If there’s no further discussion, we’ll move on to item number 14, which is the first reading of ordinance 2025-50.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:06:43

• Roll Call for Council Meeting

  • Summary: Council members present at roll call.
  • Evidence: “Parker? Stacy? Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm, Johnson, and Simmons is absent at the moment.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:29:09

• Roll Call for Council Meeting

  • Summary: Council members present at roll call.
  • Evidence: “Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye.”

• Call to order and request for discussion on resolution

  • Summary: The chair noted that the correct procedure requires acknowledging Alderman Sanders before proceeding with a discussion on the resolution.
  • Evidence: “Okay, let’s remember those rules, the Roberts rules. So if he has the floor, Well, that’s not the correct procedure, so you need to be acknowledged Alderman Sanders. Is there anyone else that would like to have a discussion on this resolution?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:52:12

• Roll Call Vote for Resolution Adoption

  • Summary: The roll call vote was taken for the resolution.
  • Attribution: Madam Clerk
  • Evidence: “Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Parker. That was a yes, Curt. Stacy? Yes. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. And Simmons? No.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:05:04

• Adjournment Motion

  • Summary: A motion was made to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
  • Attribution: Chair/Unknown
  • Evidence: “seeing none I’ll take a motion for adjournment so move second motion made by Alderman Shadle seconded by Alderman Sellers,”
  • Source timestamp: 02:19:30

• Roll Call for Adjournment

  • Summary: A roll call was taken listing several aldermen.
  • Attribution: Chair/Unknown
  • Evidence: “please call the roll. Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, Sellers, Klemm, Johnson, and Simmons.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:19:30

Ordinances and Resolutions

• Ordinance authorizing city manager to execute airport hangar leases

  • Summary: Discussion regarding Ordinance 2025-42, which authorizes the city manager to execute Alberta’s airport airplane hangar leases administratively.
  • Evidence: “Item number six is the second reading of ordinance 2025-42. Could you please read this? Ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute Alberta’s airport airplane hangar leases administratively.”
  • Source timestamp: 13:03

• Ordinance 2025-43: Municipal grocery retailers occupation tax and municipal grocery service occupation tax

  • Summary: Second reading of ordinance amending part 8, business regulation and tax code title for taxation to add chapter 897 for the purpose of implementing a 1% municipal grocery retailers occupation tax and a municipal grocery service occupation tax.
  • Evidence: “Item number 7, second reading of ordinance 2025-43. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending part 8, business regulation and tax code title for taxation to add chapter 897 for the purpose of implementing a 1% municipal grocery retailers occupation tax and a municipal grocery service occupation tax.”
  • Source timestamp: 16:52

• Ordinance 2025-44: Overweight vehicles permitting requirements

  • Summary: First reading of ordinance amending Chapter 460, Section 460.16 regarding written permits for overweight vehicles.
  • Evidence: “Item number 8 is the first reading of Ordinance 2025-44. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending Chapter 460, Section 460.16, written permits required for overweight vehicles of the City of Freeport’s Code of Ordinances.”
  • Source timestamp: 18:35

• Ordinance amending the zoning classification of property commonly known as 226 East Stephenson Street from B12, general retail business, to B21, Limited Service Business

  • Summary: The ordinance amends the zoning classification for the Smith Building located at 2-6 E. Stephenson.
  • Evidence: “First reading of ordinance 2025-45. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending the zoning classification of property commonly known as 226 East Stephenson Street from B12, general retail business, to B21, Limited Service Business.”
  • Source timestamp: 24:55

• First reading of ordinance 2025-46 zoning amendment

  • Summary: Ordinance amending the zoning classification of property commonly known as 105 through 07, West Main Street, from B12, General Retail Business, to B21, Limited Business.
  • Evidence: “Item number 10 is the first reading of ordinance 2025-46. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending the zoning classification of property commonly known as 105 through 07, West Main Street, from B12, General Retail Business, to B21, Limited Business.”
  • Source timestamp: 31:12

• Ordinance amending chapter 1252 of the zoning code concerning physical culture centers

  • Summary: First reading of ordinance 2025-48, which amends chapter 1252 of the zoning code regarding physical culture centers.
  • Attribution: Director Duckman
  • Evidence: “Item number 12 is the first reading of ordinance 2025-48. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending chapter 1252 of the zoning code of the city of Freeport concerning physical culture centers.”
  • Source timestamp: 45:03

• Ordinance amending Chapter 1252 of the Zoning Code concerning service of alcoholic liquors

  • Summary: The ordinance amends the code regarding liquor licenses, requiring any establishment that serves alcohol (including BYOB) to obtain a special use permit.
  • Attribution: Director Duckman
  • Evidence: “Ordinance amending Chapter 1252 of the Zoning Code of the City of Freeport concerning service of alcoholic liquors. Of Alcoholic Liquors.”
  • Source timestamp: 59:41

• Ordinance approving special use permit application at 2600 West Pearl City Road for solar energy systems

  • Summary: First reading of an ordinance to approve a special use permit application for the property at 2600 West Pearl City Road, submitted by Harmonie UMC, to allow for ground-mounted PV arrays in an R3 one-family residence zone.
  • Evidence: “Ordinance approving special use permit application at 2600 West Pearl City Road, submitted by Harmonie, UMC to examine the special use of an R3 one-family residence zone property to allow for solar energy systems which utilize ground-mounted PV arrays per section 1250.01 B 20”
  • Source timestamp: 01:06:54

• Ratification of Emergency Construction Debris Hauling by Fisher Excavating

  • Summary: Staff is asking for ratification of a resolution concerning $21,000 worth of hauling needed due to recent water main breaks and necessary debris removal.
  • Evidence: “So this resulted in about $21,000 worth of hauling needed to be done and staff is asking for ratification of this resolution.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:23:33

• Adoption of resolution 2025-77: Ratifying emergency water main repairs by Fisher excavating on Galena Avenue near the Lincoln Mall entrance

  • Summary: Resolution ratifying emergency water main repairs by Fisher excavating on Galena Avenue near the Lincoln Mall entrance.
  • Evidence: “And item number 16 is the adoption of resolution 2025-77. Could you please read this? Resolution ratifying emergency water main repairs by Fisher excavating on Galena Avenue near the Lincoln Mall entrance.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:25:09

• Adoption of resolution 2025-78

  • Summary: Item number 17 is adoption of resolution 202578.
  • Evidence: “Item number 17 is adoption of resolution 202578.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:29:35

• Adoption of redevelopment agreement for 310 East Jackson Street

  • Summary: Item number 19 is the adoption of resolution 2025-81, approving a redevelopment agreement for Garrett and Siobhan Miller at 310 East Jackson Street.
  • Attribution: City Council
  • Evidence: “Item number 19 is the adoption of resolution 2025-81. Could you please read this? Resolution approving redevelopment agreement Garrett, and Siobhan Miller at 310 East Jackson Street.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:36:24

• Ratification of emergency purchase of portable air conditioner for well houses

  • Summary: Resolution ratifying the emergency purchase of a portable AC unit from Granger to cool the city’s water and sewer electrical rooms.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “Item number 20 is the adoption of resolution 2025-82. Could you please read this? Resolution ratifying emergency purchase of pot portable air conditioner for well houses from Granger. Manager Boyer. Thank you, your honor. The city of Freeport’s water and sewer facilities We have large electrical rooms that require cooling during the summer months due to numerous electrical items running concurrently inside which generate heat. This is specifically related to variable frequency drives and having to keep the computers and all the circuitry cool. It’s essential not to allow this equipment to overheat with the excessive temperatures for extended periods of the summer. The utility has had an existing AC unit running continuously at full capacity. So that’s one of these units to keep the room cool. It’s been running solid. Recently, we had an AC unit breakdown and parts had to be ordered. As a result, the staff had a variable frequency drive equipment issues without being able to obtain a portable cooling unit. The well house and wastewater facility VFDs are approximately $250,000 to replace. And if they overheat, we don’t wanna risk losing them. So the city utility department purchased emergency portable air conditioning unit capable of fully cooling the well house and wastewater electrical room facilities during unit breakdown. The unit can be deployed quickly to any utility facility in the city and has a has a the ability to keep water and sewer facilities in operation. This unit was sized to be able to operate in all facilities including the future well 12 and so this was is actually purchased because we had a problem with our normal air conditioning and we’ve got that repaired now, but we needed this in the interim. So this was the city basically purchased an $11,126.34 portable AC unit and we’ll be keeping that for future repairs if necessary. And so staff would request a ratification of that emergency purchase.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:54:22

• Ratifying emergency rental of portable air-conditioning units for police department from Geostar Mechanical

  • Summary: Resolution ratifying the emergency rental of portable air-conditioning units for the police department.
  • Evidence: “Item number 21 is the adaption of resolution 2025-83. Could you please read this? Resolution ratifying emergency rental of portable air-conditioning units for police department from Geostar Mechanical.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:58:27

• Approving purchase of two new pickup trucks for City Street Department and utility

  • Summary: Resolution approving the purchase of two new pickup trucks.
  • Evidence: “Item number 22 is the adoption of resolution 2025-84. Could you please read this? Resolution approving purchase of Thank you, Your Honor. The City Street Department and the utility need two new pickup trucks. We did budget for them in the 2025 budget under item 331-304-7005 and 880-000-1800.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:59:49

• Adoption of resolution 2025-84

  • Summary: Resolution approving purchase of two new pickup trucks for the City Street Department and utility.
  • Evidence: “Item number 22 is the adoption of resolution 2025-84. Could you please read this? Resolution approving purchase of Thank you, Your Honor. The City Street Department and the utility need two new pickup trucks. We did budget for them in the 2025 budget under item 331-304-7005 and 880-000-1800. That was in the 25 budget. This was a planned purchase for replacing existing equipment.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:59:49

Financial and Contract Events

• Developer payments under redevelopment agreement

  • Summary: The developer would receive 3% of the upfront cost for the addition ($3,500) and 3% of the paving improvement cost ($1,500).
  • Attribution: City Staff
  • Evidence: “staff is proposing that they be paid a 3% of that upfront or not upfront after completion after completion, which is $3,500. Then additionally, once they finish their paving, as I talked about earlier, once they fix the parking lot, which is $50,000, again, they would receive $1,500, which is another 3% of that project.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:39:03

• Budgeted Funds for Redevelopment Agreements

  • Summary: The city has budgeted $50,000 annually in 2025 earmarked for new redevelopment agreements.
  • Evidence: “So the redevelopment agreement here for Merrick Crane Rental is supported in our budget where we have a total of this annually, we have $50,000 earmarked for new redevelopment agreements in the year of 2025.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:42:15

Projects

• Driveway approach, parking pad, and sewer line improvements for the fire station
  • Summary: Fehr Graham designed and bid the driveway, concrete driveway and sanitary sewer improvements for the park station. A public bid was held on Tuesday, July 15th at 11 AM at City Hall, receiving five bids from DPI Construction out of Pecatonica, O’Brien Civil Work, Sostromes & Son, NICAM, Construction & Helm. DPI Construction was the lowest bidder at $120,000, $120,751.24.
  • Attribution: City staff
  • Evidence: “So Fehr Graham designed and bid the driveway, concrete driveway and sanitary sewer improvements for the park station. At the request of the fire department, a public bid was held on Tuesday, July 15th at 11 AM at City Hall. City staff received five bids for this project from DPI Construction out of Pecatonica, O’Brien Civil Work, Sostromes & Son, NICAM, Construction & Helm, DPI Construction was the lowest bidder at $120,000, $120,751.24.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:11:17

Presentations and Reports

• Grocery Tax Implementation Details

  • Summary: Staff presented information regarding the state foregoing distribution of the grocery tax but allowing communities to reinstate it municipally, noting current annual revenue and the number of Illinois communities that have already passed this local tax.
  • Evidence: “As previously discussed, the state has decided to forego distributing the grocery tax, however, has provided for opportunities for communities to reinstate that under their own municipal authority. Currently, we receive between $750,000 and $800,000 per year. And following up on a previous request, how many communities in Illinois have already passed this local grocery tax and that would be 371 communities in Illinois have already passed it. So staff recommends moving forward with the 1% grocery tax.”
  • Source timestamp: 16:52

• Overweight and Oversized Permitting Changes (Ordinance 2025-44)

  • Summary: Staff presented proposed changes to section 460.11, recommending the creation of an overweight and oversized City of Freeport permit form required inside city limits regardless of roads used, and adding a fee schedule.
  • Evidence: “As discussed at the committee of the whole meeting, the last committee of the whole meeting, the issue of overweight and oversized permitting was discussed. Staff is requesting some changes to section 460.11. That section title is overweight and oversized vehicles. We want to create the overweight and oversized City of Freeport permit form permitting required inside city limits no matter what roads are being used. Also adding 625 ILCS 5-15301 for reference and that’s to create an oversized and overweight fee schedule including $150 for individual one-time permits, $1,200 for annual permits, and a $500 penalty for non-compliance with the Kermenson. Staff recommends moving forward with ordinance changes for 460.11.”
  • Source timestamp: 18:56

• Zoning reclassification for Smith Building (2-6 E. Stephenson)

  • Summary: The proposed use is a Pilates and Bar studio requiring the zoning change from B1 to B2.
  • Attribution: Director Duckman
  • Evidence: “Director Duckman. Thank you, Madam Mayor. So I’ll start off with just a picture here. Everybody probably recognizes this is the Smith Building. And essentially what we have going on here, I put an arrow right here. This is where the proposed yoga studio is going to be. I’m sorry, it’s a Pilates and Bar studio. Not yoga, it’s Pilates and Bar. But essentially there’s a ploddy studio that’s going to go into this location here and this is the Smith building and the actual physical address here is 2-6 E. Stephenson and so in order to do so in this space, they have to, the way our ordinances are currently written, they have to go from a B1 zoning district to a B2 zoning district and that’s why they’re here for the zoning reclassification”
  • Source timestamp: 25:25

• Zoning reclassification recommendation

  • Summary: The Zoning Board of Appeals recommended approval by a vote of 4-0 with no abstentions on July 10th, and the Planning Commission recommended it by a vote of 7-0 with zero abstentions.
  • Evidence: “Huffines. So this was brought to staff and we brought it to the Zoning Board of Appeals on July 10th and it was recommended for approval by a vote of 4-0 with no abstentions, zero abstentions and on July 10th it also was recommended by our Planning Commission by a vote of 7-0 with zero abstentions.”
  • Source timestamp: 26:15

• Manager Boyer statement on business friendliness

  • Summary: Manager Boyer stated that the goal is to be business friendly and responsive to businesses.
  • Evidence: “Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. I think with this one and the other ones tonight, this is all about trying to be business friendly. So trying to be responsive to businesses instead of taking the We know how valuable that businesses are to come to the City of Freeport. We know that. And so we’re not trying to impede upon it. We’re just trying to understand and making sure everything is above board and there’s clarity with it. That’s all it is.”
  • Source timestamp: 27:01

• Zoning map amendment for dojo

  • Summary: Director Suttman presented information regarding a request for a zoning map amendment from B1 to B2 for a martial arts studio (dojo).
  • Evidence: “Okay, similar situation here, this is a request for a zoning map amendment from B1 to B2, to and again this is a I had referenced this earlier this is for a dojo for martial arts studio the only difference here is what has brought us to this point is this studio is already operating and the community had contacted us and said it asked the person starting this business if they had gotten their proper permits from the city they came to us and we informed them that they We are at this point. This is Main Street here. This is the hotel here, gives you an idea and earlier i had a nice picture if we scroll and John. So, this is the official address. This is 105107 West Main Street. This is the situation where there are petitioners requesting to go from a B1 to B2 business district.”
  • Source timestamp: 31:24

• First Reading of Ordinance 2025-47 (Variation Request)

  • Summary: Presentation regarding a variation request for a home occupation business, specifically concerning the size of a sign.
  • Attribution: Huffines
  • Evidence: “And item number 11 is the first reading of ordinance 2025-47. Could you please read this? Huffines. We are now at the request of a variation and what you have before you here, this is a home occupation business where somebody lives in their home and they’re allowed to run what is known as a home occupation business when they live in the residence. This is a dog grooming business and this is the size of the sign that they have on their garage. The reason they’re in for a variation is that they’re allowed and the rest of the city. And we’re going to have a lot of questions and answers coming out of the meeting. We have a lot of questions and answers coming out of one square foot sign and this sign is larger. This sign is going to be 12. It would be a six foot by two foot sign. So that would be a 12 square foot. So that’s what you can see there on this garage. And as such, we, this sign was brought, this matter was brought staff had talked with the property owner.”
  • Source timestamp: 40:49

• Dog grooming business sign variation request

  • Summary: The matter concerns a dog grooming business’s sign size variation, which was recommended for approval by the Zoning Board of Appeals (4 to 0) and the Planning Commission (7 to 0). Staff recommends approval.
  • Attribution: Staff
  • Evidence: “This is a dog grooming business and this is the size of the sign that they have on their garage. The reason they’re in for a variation is that they’re allowed and the rest of the city. And we’re going to have a lot of questions and answers coming out of the meeting. We have a lot of questions and answers coming out of one square foot sign and this sign is larger. This sign is going to be 12. It would be a six foot by two foot sign. So that would be a 12 square foot. So that’s what you can see there on this garage. And as such, we, this sign was brought, this matter was brought staff had talked with the property owner. We had one call about this, which has initiated this process for the request for a variation. When the property owner was notified of the situation, we spoke to them and told them that if they wanted to keep the sign, they would need to receive a variation to do so. Otherwise, if this does not pass today, the person operating this home occupation business would have to remove this sign. So that’s essentially, in a nutshell, what we are talking about today. And so this, to get to it, on July 10th, the Zoning Board of Appeals recommended approval by a vote of 4 to 0 with zero abstentions. And also on July 10th, our Planning Commission recommended approval by a vote of 7 to 0 with zero abstentions. At the hearing, we did not receive any comment, and the public comment on it. The only public comment we had was one phone call regarding this matter. So that being said, staff is recommending approval of this variation. It has also been requested to suspend the rules to allow them to continue to keep their sign up.”
  • Source timestamp: 42:42

• Physical Culture Center Zoning Code Amendment (Ordinance 2025-48)

  • Summary: The ordinance aims to allow the land use of operating a gym in a B1 district, preventing property owners from having to change zoning from B1 to B2. The Planning Commission passed this matter unanimously with a vote of 7-0 on July 10th.
  • Attribution: Director Duckman
  • Evidence: “So what’s a little background here? Obviously there has been an uptick in the number of what are known as physical culture centers, which is essentially a gym, a yoga studio, pilates studio, martial arts studio. We’ve seen an uptick as evidenced today in our prior items. Business owners are wanting to open up what are known as physical culture centers or gyms. Huffines, and trying to prevent property owners to have to change zoning from B1 to B2. Staff worked together to kind of basically come up with a plan to allow the land use of someone operating a gym and essentially in a B1 district, as opposed to just limiting B-2, which causes staff to have to bring in zoning changes, zoning map amendments every time somebody would want to open a gym in the B-1 zoning district. … So this matter was brought to the Planning Commission on July 10th, and it was passed unanimously with a vote of 7-0.”
  • Source timestamp: 45:52

• Ordinance amending Chapter 1252 regarding liquor licenses

  • Summary: Staff explained that the current ordinance requires a special use permit when selling alcohol, but staff worked with counsel to change it so any location serving alcohol (including BYOB) must obtain a special use permit.
  • Attribution: Director Duckman
  • Evidence: “So what staff worked with counsel to say is to make everything fair and equal and when it comes to liquor licenses is that any establishment that serves, not necessarily serves and sells, but any location that determines They’re going to serve alcohol, which would include your BYOB liquor license. They’re going to have to do a special use permit.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:00:23

• Reconsideration of Solar Energy System Permit at 2600 West Pearl City Road

  • Summary: The item is being reconsidered as it has already gone through the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Commission, and the matter died at the May 19th council meeting.
  • Evidence: “mayor may I just add that this item is being reconsidered it’s already gone through the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Commission and at the May 19th council meeting the matter died for Alderman, Shadle, I would refer to Director Duckman.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:06:54

• Solar Panel Installation Details (Ground-mounted)

  • Summary: In residential zoning districts, solar panels are allowed by right on structures; however, ground-mounted arrays require council attention when placed in the backyard.
  • Evidence: “So one simple way to remember this is in our residential zoning districts, you’re allowed by right, which means you do not need to come to council and ask permission. You’re allowed by right to put solar panels on structures, like a roof of a shed, or a house, or a church.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:08:20

• Solar Panel Placement at 2600 West Pearl City Road

  • Summary: The proposed ground-mounted solar array would be located 120 feet from the property line and screened by existing trees from neighbors and public view.
  • Evidence: “So they’re saying here they’re gonna do 120 feet from the property line. They’re going to have this set of solar panels here which would be screened from their neighbors by these existing trees. This side of the road would be screened from the public and really most of it would be screened from people driving down this direction.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:08:40

• Resolution Ratifying Emergency Construction Debris Hauling by Fisher Excavating

  • Summary: City staff requested ratification for a time material agreement with Fisher Excavating to move co-mingled construction debris from the Brick Street construction garage because the utility construction crew ran out of room at their disposal area.
  • Evidence: “The city has had over 18 months of stored construction material, waste construction material, and construction crews are out of room as emergencies arise for more debris storage. So Fisher Excavating hauled over 2,700 cubic yards. That’s 230 loads of waste debris, a few dump locations will accept commingled waste for fill without full separation of solid material, and this is very costly to perform. Staff moved forward with the time material agreement with Fisher for the debris removal as staff was out of any holding area for any more solid construction waste.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:22:28

• Debris removal and hauling costs

  • Summary: Staff moved forward with a time material agreement with Fisher for debris removal because staff was out of any holding area for solid construction waste. The recent water main breaks resulted in about $21,000 worth of hauling needed.
  • Attribution: Staff
  • Evidence: “Staff moved forward with the time material agreement with Fisher for the debris removal as staff was out of any holding area for any more solid construction waste. Without the recent construction, water main breaks, action was required, so this resulted in about $21,000 worth of hauling needed to be done and staff is asking for ratification of this resolution.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:23:23

• Details of Galena Avenue water main repair

  • Summary: Fisher was called in to assist city staff due to the difficult location and concrete under the base of the road. Staff is requesting ratification agreement to pay Fishers $11,330 for the emergency water main repair.
  • Evidence: “Fisher’s crew assisted in completing the Galena water main repairs due to the area’s constraints and the need to maintain water service to the local businesses while navigating the busy roadway… staff is requesting ratifications agreement to pay Fishers $11,330 for the emergency water main repair.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:26:09

• Resolution Ratifying Emergency Dispatch Center Air Conditioning System Repairs by Nelson Carlson Mechanical Contractors

  • Summary: The Police Department’s 911 Dispatch Center has reoccurring issues with the mini-split system, which is problematic due to leaks and numerous electrical devices. The existing unit was 12 years old with obsolete parts. Nelson Carlson replaced the unit with a new carrier model that has fully serviceable parts. Staff requests approval for this emergency repair, to be paid through ETSB funds.
  • Evidence: “Item number 17 is adoption of resolution 202578. Could you please read this? Resolution Ratifying Emergency Dispatch Center Air Conditioning System Repairs by Nelson Carlson Mechanical Contractors Thank you, Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. The City of Freeport’s Police Department 911 Dispatch Center has experienced reoccurring issues with the mini-split system, so similar to what we have here in the conference rooms and in City Hall. I can attest they are somewhat problematic. The unit’s been leaking down the wall for months with numerous electrical devices in the room. And 9-1-1 centers in the middle of the building and requires this unit to run 24-7 due to the large amount of computer equipment operated in the area. The existing unit was 12 years old and parts were obsolete. The police leadership team called a public works consultant and informed him of the issue with the unit. We had service calls to evaluate the issue. Parts were no longer available through multiple efforts and the city had Nelson Carlson replace C. Unit with a new carrier model that has parts in full serviceability. Many of the many split models today are throwaway units which are undesirable for the city due to their heavy utilization and the ETSB leadership team informed the police department that they would approve paying for the unit based on the estimate. So the staff is requesting approval through the City Council on on this emergency repair, it will be paid for through ETSB funds.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:30:09

• Resolution Ratifying Emergency Taxiway Light Repairs at Alberta’s Airport by William Charles Electric

  • Summary: The taxiway lighting system at Alberta’s recently failed, creating safety hazards. Immediate emergency repair was necessary because the current system is aging and parts are being phased out for LED technology. The repairs were delayed due to the need for custom manufactured parts. The full upgrade is part of a long-term capital plan.
  • Evidence: “Item number 18 is the adoption of resolution 2025-79. Could you please read this? Resolution ratifying emergency taxiway light repairs at the Alberta’s airport by William Charles Electric Thank you, Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. The taxiway lighting system at Alberta’s recently failed. It was having problems last year and they were in the process of We’re preparing it and then locating parts, and it took quite a while to get it back up and running appropriately, so this created safety hazards and required emergency repair to ensure the safe nighttime operations and regulatory compliance. The current system is aging and scheduled for future replacement, but immediate action was necessary. The airport operator coordinated emergency repairs with William Charles Electric. The attached invoice outlines costs incurred including labor, service vehicle use and materials. Repairs were delayed due to the need for custom manufactured parts as the components for our existing system are being phased out in favor of LED technology. While a full lighting upgrade is part of our long-term capital plan, deferring this repair was not feasible to maintain safety during the outage. Lights were operated overnight that they were on 24-7 increasing our utility bill out there.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:33:44

• Redevelopment proposal for property at 310 East Jackson Street

  • Summary: Merrick Crane Rentals plans to redevelop and expand the property, proposing $150,000 in improvements: a 3,200 square foot storage facility ($100,000 improvement) and repaving/drainage improvements for a parking area ($50,000 improvement).
  • Attribution: Director Duckman
  • Evidence: “Merrick Crane Rentals is what the company that has purchased this property and are looking to redevelop it and expand it and to essentially improve the area… So they’re proposing to build $150,000 in improvements on the site.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:36:51

• Truck Purchase Details and Bids

  • Summary: Staff recommends two budgeted vehicles from Barco Chevy because they were the cheapest quote received, compared to Carl’s Auto which was approximately just over $5,000 more for both trucks combined.
  • Evidence: “Barcos was the cheapest for both trucks combined. We put the price out for both trucks combined and after the bid closed we got information back from Carl’s Auto and they were they were approximately just over $5,000 more than Barcos for the same two vehicles. It was too late because we had already turned the memo to include those. So staff is recommending the two budgeted purchase vehicles from Barco Chevy. They have them both in stock and we can take delivery as soon as the plows come in.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:00:59

• Funding Sources for New Vehicles

  • Summary: City Manager Boyer stated that one vehicle (2500 single cab) comes out of water capital funds and the other (3500) comes out of sewer capital funds.
  • Evidence: “So City Manager Boyer referenced the two budget items, one’s coming out of water capital funds and one of them is coming out of sewer capital funds. The 2500 single cab is going to be used for our meter department. I don’t know if anybody recalls, but we’ve added people to the meter department. And we’ve also added staff that we had an old vehicle that was in really bad shape that we’re going to be replacing. And then the 3500 is a replacement for the sewer division with the service body, boards, flaps, and undercoating.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:03:00

• Bid Opening for Demolition of 17 through 19 West Main Street

  • Summary: The bid opening was held on July 15th, 2025, for the demolition of 17 through 19 West Main Street. Four bids were received from Fowler Enterprises, Green Demolition Contractors, Northern Illinois Service Company, and Fishers Excavating.
  • Attribution: Boyer
  • Evidence: “Bid opening on July 15th, 2025 for demolition of 17 through 19 West Main Street. And it’s your Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. As everybody knows, we’ve been working on this for years. 1719 West Main is former sanitary cleaners. We recently had a bid opening. We received four bids for the project from Fowler Enterprises, Green Demolition Contractors, Northern Illinois Service Company, and Fishers Excavating.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:05:51

• Brownfields Grant Status for 17-19 West Main Street Demolition

  • Summary: The building should be down by the beginning of December, with restoration anticipated between May and June of next year. The project is supported by a commitment of $1.7 million from a Brownfields grant.
  • Attribution: Alderman Simmons
  • Evidence: “The building should be down by the beginning of December and restoration will probably you know perk into May and June of next year of the property. Just wanted to remind everybody this is a Brownfields grant that we’ve We’ve received, we have not received the money, but we have the commitment of $1.7 million.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:08:10

• Additional Bid for Concrete Work at Fire Station

  • Summary: Opening on July 15th for concrete work for the driveway at fire station on Park Boulevard. The site has a differential grade causing standing water and ice formation, and there is an issue with a cast-iron sewer line that routinely clogs.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “And item number 24, an additional bid, could you please read? Opening on July 15th for concrete concrete work for driveway at fire station on Park Boulevard. Manager Boyer. Thank you your honor. Some of you may or may not be aware that the Park Boulevard fire station has a differential and grade between the road and the driveway approach that creates a problem with standing water. It also creates a problem with ice formation and we have another issue in the in the vicinity which is the cast-iron sewer line that comes out of the fire department there the fire station that is routinely clogs up due to the fact that it has a tubrification forming inside the pipe so with that being said we looked at just replacing the drive approach and then we talked about well if we’re going to do the sewer what do we want to do there the concrete is rather old needs to be replaced and it would also offer us some opportunity for later on be able to install some conduit so that if we ever decided to put a crossing lights in that vicinity, we’d be able to do that.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:10:14

• Public Works Project Updates

  • Summary: Cleveland paving is approximately three quarters done, with remaining intersections expected to be done this week if weather allows. Black Hawk water services are scheduled for core out the first week of August. Carroll Avenue is installing water mains from Galena to Adams. A bid can be put out for the solar company building on 18th Avenue.
  • Attribution: Public Works Department
  • Evidence: “Cleveland is being paved the west side about three quarters of it was done Friday the other remaining intersections and peace the and the other piece should be done sometime this week if weather allows. Next week you should see the west side of Cleveland being paved. They’re just about done with the base repairs there. Black Hawk is in process. We just got all the water main past bacterial tests today and they’re working or I’m sorry last week and they’re working on water services. So probably the following week they’ll be doing core out and the street should be done probably the first week of August. Carroll Avenue is in full swing. They are installing water services right now and they flip sides and they’re heading from Galena to Adams right now installing water mains.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:12:33

• Solar Project Funding and Timeline

  • Summary: The agreement reached with the solar panel company will provide $400,000 towards the 18th Avenue project fee to the city. The project needs to be done by about the second week of November.
  • Attribution: Public Works Department
  • Evidence: “Also just as a reminder, the agreement that Wayne and I were able to actually, Wayne mostly was able to agree with the solar panel company as we will be getting $400,000 towards that and a project free to the city to repay the 18th Avenue. So a big win for the city and they’d like to see us have it done by, honestly, we need to move on it because it’ll have to be done by about the second week of November.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:14:21

• Fire Incident Report (West Clark Street)

  • Summary: A residential structure fire occurred on West Clark Street. Two dogs were found; one self-rescued, and another required oxygen administration by personnel using donated pet masks. The house sustained heavy damage, but the dogs were sent home the next day. Fire investigation suggests the fire may have originated from the dogs interacting with a crockpot on the stove.
  • Attribution: Fire Department
  • Evidence: “Last Wednesday evening, the fire department responded to a residential structure fire on West Clark Street… So while extinguishment was taking place, other personnel administered oxygen to the second dog through pet masks that we received as a donation from the Pet Mask Company. … We believe the dogs jumped up with their paw, turned the burner on, and that’s what created the fire.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:15:22

• City Manager Report

  • Summary: The City Manager thanked the staff for their daily work efforts.
  • Attribution: City Manager
  • Evidence: “I’d just like to say thank you to the staff. We’ve got quite a bit going and I appreciate all the work that goes into what we’re doing every day. Thank you.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:17:10

• City Manager’s Report

  • Summary: The City Manager thanked the staff for their daily work.
  • Attribution: City Manager
  • Evidence: “City Manager? I’d just like to say thank you to the staff. We’ve got quite a bit going and I appreciate all the work that goes into what we’re doing every day. Thank you.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:17:10

• Alderman Parker’s Report

  • Summary: Alderman Parker had nothing new to report.
  • Attribution: Alderman Parker
  • Evidence: “Alderman Parker, do you have anything?”
  • Source timestamp: 02:17:10

• Alderman Stacy’s Report

  • Summary: Alderman Stacy had no report.
  • Attribution: Alderman Stacy
  • Evidence: “Alderman Stacy?”
  • Source timestamp: 02:17:10

• Alderman Shadle’s Report

  • Summary: Alderman Shadle had nothing to report.
  • Attribution: Alderman Shadle
  • Evidence: “Alderman Shadle?”
  • Source timestamp: 02:17:10

• Alderman Sanders’ Report

  • Summary: Alderman Sanders had no report.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sanders
  • Evidence: “Alderman Sanders?”
  • Source timestamp: 02:17:10

• Alderman Sellers’ Report

  • Summary: Alderman Sellers had nothing to report.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sellers
  • Evidence: “Alderman Sellers?”

• Alderman Klemm’s Report

  • Summary: Alderman Klemm mentioned the Neighborhood Watch on 729.
  • Attribution: Alderman Klemm
  • Evidence: “Alderman Klemm? Neighborhood Watch on 729, please come with your friends and questions.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:17:52

• Alderman Johnson’s Report

  • Summary: Alderman Johnson invited everyone to attend the Fair that week.
  • Attribution: Alderman Johnson
  • Evidence: “Alderman Johnson? Just to invite everybody come out to the Fair and enjoy the fair this week.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:17:52

• Alderman Simmons’ Report

  • Summary: Alderman Simmons declined to speak further.
  • Attribution: Alderman Simmons
  • Evidence: “Alderman Simmons? No, thank you.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:17:52

Metrics

• Tax increment revenue sharing under redevelopment agreement
  • Summary: The developer would receive 75% of the tax increment or increased tax revenue resulting from the development on an annual basis.
  • Attribution: City Staff
  • Evidence: “any of the increment above their tax base value and especially resulting from this development here, they would receive back on an annual basis of 75% of that increase, that tax increment or increased tax revenue would go back to that developer.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:40:34

Discussion

• Ordinance 2025-42 process and standards

  • Summary: Discussion regarding the process for executing airport hangar leases, noting that standards are already set for price per square foot.
  • Evidence: “Alderman Klemm and Shadle. I just want to reiterate that we spoke about last meeting at the first reading that we have gone through and drafted a new lease that’s a standard Howard for all the hangers and we have an ordinance in place for the amount that the leases are to be rented for so I feel like there’s really no reason to bring them to us when there’s standards set for city manager to follow as far as price and a written lease James, James, Heimerdinger, Heimerdinger, Heimerdinger, Heimerdinger, Heimerdinger, and Alderman Shadle covered it pretty good but basically they’ve come to us and it’s been who owns what and who owns this one and who’s going to get that one and like Alderman Shadle said it’s all based off of square footage now and price per square foot and goes through We’re two or three people before it gets to us, so there’s really no sense to us to do it. It goes through Public Works, it goes through the Airport Manager, and it goes through City Manager.”
  • Source timestamp: 13:39

• Contractual changes for airport hangar leases

  • Summary: A request was made to ensure that any future changes to an agreed contract (wording, locks, doors, roof, floors, water, electric, etc.) must first be brought back to the council for approval.
  • Evidence: “Oldman Stacey? I just want to incinerate that I want to make sure I understand Anderson, that if at any time changes are made to the agreed contract, whether it be wording, locks, doors, roof, floors, water, electric, et cetera, all changes will be first brought back to the council for approval before any changes to the approved contract can be made.”
  • Source timestamp: 13:39

• Lease standards and process for property rentals

  • Summary: Discussion regarding the establishment of standard leases and procedures for determining rental prices based on square footage.
  • Evidence: “I just want to reiterate that we spoke about last meeting at the first reading that we have gone through and drafted a new lease that’s a standard Howard for all the hangers and we have an ordinance in place for the amount that the leases are to be rented for so I feel like there’s really no reason to bring them to us when there’s standards set for city manager to follow as far as price and a written lease James, James, Heimerdinger, Heimerdinger, Heimerdinger, Heimerdinger, Heimerdinger, and Alderman Shadle covered it pretty good but basically they’ve come to us and it’s been who owns what and who owns this one and who’s going to get that one and like Alderman Shadle said it’s all based off of square footage now and price per square foot and goes through We’re two or three people before it gets to us, so there’s really no sense to us to do it. It goes through Public Works, it goes through the Airport Manager, and it goes through City Manager. So I don’t believe there’s any reason to come to us. And when I was on the council, before for 18 years, we never did it.”
  • Source timestamp: 13:39

• Contract changes approval process

  • Summary: Confirmation that any changes to an agreed contract (wording, locks, doors, roof, floors, water, electric, etc.) must first be brought back to the council for approval.
  • Evidence: “I just want to incinerate that I want to make sure I understand Anderson, that if at any time changes are made to the agreed contract, whether it be wording, locks, doors, roof, floors, water, electric, et cetera, all changes will be first brought back to the council for approval before any changes to the approved contract can be made.”
  • Source timestamp: 13:39

• Overweight and oversized City of Freeport permit form permitting required inside city limits

  • Summary: Concern that the ordinance change will affect all involved equally.
  • Attribution: Alderman Stacey
  • Evidence: “I would like to know that this will affect all involved and not some, and that everybody will be treated equal.”
  • Source timestamp: 20:06

• Overweight and oversized City of Freeport permit form permitting required inside city limits

  • Summary: Clarification on exemptions for the overweight/oversized permits, noting buses, garbage trucks, towing within city limits, and underweight contractors are exempt.
  • Attribution: Deren
  • Evidence: “Yes everybody the trucks within the city limits will be treated the same there are exemptions which are stated in the section 625 so buses are exempt garbage trucks are exempt towing within the city limits would be exempt but you know like excavator contractors those type of things trucking would be exempt if they’re underweight so this is for trucks that are severely overweight over Odomen”
  • Source timestamp: 20:29

• Overweight and oversized City of Freeport permit form permitting required inside city limits

  • Summary: Request to establish guardrails, monitoring procedures, and departmental oversight for the new ordinance.
  • Attribution: Sanders
  • Evidence: “Yeah, I’d like to see us insert some kind of guardrails for this type of procedures and making sure that the ordinances are followed up and monitored and the proceeds and the other things that are recouped or established from this and what department head is going to be covering these areas and monitoring everything to make sure that, like you guys are just talking about, being fair and some exempt because of and the fairness of the weight and who gets, you Gittl, Pathway, to come through the city in whatever case that might be.”
  • Source timestamp: 20:29

• Overweight and oversized City of Freeport permit form permitting required inside city limits

  • Summary: Confirmation that the process is governed by state statute Illinois 625, ensuring fairness.
  • Attribution: Alderman Stacey
  • Evidence: “Yeah, I’ll answer that. It’s all within the ordinance, and it’s all outlined in that state statute, Illinois 625, so it’s fair to all people.”
  • Source timestamp: 21:58

• Overweight and oversized City of Freeport permit form permitting required inside city limits

  • Summary: Details on the permit process: Public Works Administrator Taylor will issue permits, invoices, and collect fees, which go to the general fund.
  • Evidence: “The way our permit process will work is permits will be reviewed, the public works administrator Taylor, Will, Issue, Invoices, collect those fees and our permit fees always go back to the general fund. That’s where all those fees are returned to. It does not come back to any department in general.”
  • Source timestamp: 22:09

• Overweight and oversized City of Freeport permit form permitting required inside city limits

  • Summary: Identification of three parties monitoring the process: issuer, invoice preparer, and finance department cross-referencing invoices.
  • Evidence: “So there’s three people involved in the process. The person that issues the permit, the person that issues the invoice, and then in the finance department, I think Caitlin cross-references to make sure that all the invoices that are Manning. They’re a lot bigger because the times that they’re sent out are paid.”
  • Source timestamp: 22:35

• Overweight and oversized City of Freeport permit form permitting required inside city limits

  • Summary: Clarification on enforcement: Public Works or Police will stop trucks, citing an instance where state personnel were found to be severely overweight on city roads without local permits.
  • Evidence: “So Stacy? Who will be stopping these trucks? So it will be Public Works and or the Police. So as I explained at the last meeting that we discussed this, I believe it was the COW, the reason we found out some of this was happening T. So we were called in to help by the police and then we asked them for their paperwork and realized that they were severely overweight and found out the state was actually sending them on city roads.”
  • Source timestamp: 22:58

• Overweight and oversized City of Freeport permit form permitting required inside city limits

  • Summary: Information regarding new fees: A notice will be sent to generators and windmill companies requiring an overweight and oversized permit fee, with annual permits being per vehicle license plate.
  • Evidence: “So we get, I mean, I wouldn’t say this is going to apply a ton to trucks that come through, if anybody ever sees we’ve get a lot of generators through here a lot of windmill companies and we’re going to send a notice out to them that we now have an overweight and oversized permit fee. Most of these companies will be doing it annually and in the memo the permits are made per vehicle license plate so you only get you know for for the 1200 bucks you’ll only get one truck that you can move for that annual fee so if you have two trucks you’ll have to get two so each company will have to make a decision based on how much they’re moving through Freeport.”
  • Source timestamp: 23:38

• Overweight and oversized City of Freeport permit form permitting required inside city limits

  • Summary: Clarification that farmers are exempt during field seasons per Illinois state statute 625.
  • Evidence: “Oh, okay. Gotcha. Per the Illinois state statute, 625 farmers are exempt during field seasons.”
  • Source timestamp: 24:46

• Ordinance discussion regarding suspension of rules

  • Summary: Discussion about the purpose of suspending the rules for an ordinance.
  • Evidence: “I just have, on the ordinance, I just want to know why would they, why do they want a suspension of the rules? We want to get their business started and get going and I mean certainly if you didn’t think it prudent they could do that but I think that’s their main thought there and I would just say that there’s there’s no pub there’s no comment from the public otherwise there was no complaints or negative comments either. How many? Are they meeting the standards? Yes, they met the standards for a special use and for what they’re asking for here yes.”
  • Source timestamp: 26:54

• Alderman Johnson inquiry on exercise facilities

  • Summary: Alderman Johnson questioned the number of existing exercise facilities in Freeport, noting at least three in one area.
  • Evidence: “Okay Alderman Johnson can you tell me how many exercise facilities there are in the city of Freeport already I do not know the exact number but I know that there’s multiple in the area and I know there’s another um in the downtown I know there’s another you know dojo there’s at least one dojo down the street already operating there’s another one um that’s operating today and that’s they’re going to do another special use so there’s at least at least three in in that area. This would be the third in that area. And to be honest with you, I think that everybody here would want more if we know that public health is a big concern, not just for our area, the region, and our country. So I think the more health studios, the more that people see a need in our community and that they can support it, I think it’s a good thing. It’s a positive.”
  • Source timestamp: 29:00

• Discussion on zoning map amendment for dojo

  • Summary: A council member questioned why the building needed to go through the process when it was previously a yoga studio.
  • Evidence: “Aldrin Sellers? Yes, I’d like to know because that building was a yoga studio at one time, so why is it, they have to go through all this now? My guess is they probably, my guess is they probably got, I mean, for lack of a better word, they got away with it. I think that their neighbors told the current person you need to get permitting so the person running the Dojo or the you know martial arts studio had came to us and said you know hey before I open I Probably should have come here and get the proper certificate of occupancy zoning regulations so That for lack of a better understand, you know, lack of a better word.”
  • Source timestamp: 34:13

• Permitting and Zoning Violations for Business Operations

  • Summary: Discussion regarding a business operating without proper permits, referencing previous uses like a yoga studio.
  • Evidence: “Yes, I’d like to know because that building was a yoga studio at one time, so why is it, they have to go through all this now? My guess is they probably, my guess is they probably got, I mean, for lack of a better word, they got away with it. I think that their neighbors told the current person you need to get permitting so the person running the Dojo or the you know martial arts studio had came to us and said you know hey before I open I Probably should have come here and get the proper certificate of occupancy zoning regulations so That for lack of a better understand, you know, lack of a better word. They kind of got away with it They were running it when they shouldn’t have Now we caught them Alderman Sanders, yeah So, wow, I’m listening to you say that, man. It is like how many other occupants around here staging businesses that we’re not aware of and whether or not are we, are you guys, your staff is considering to let this advance, to let this go through with the proper paperwork to operate here. So we’re holding them to what they’re responsible for.”
  • Source timestamp: 34:13

• Violation Fees and Penalties

  • Summary: Discussion about potential fees for being in violation, with a specific fee mentioned for special use permit or zoning map amendment.
  • Attribution: Stacy
  • Evidence: “Holderman, Stacy? Is there a fee for them being in violation? Yes, their fee is $200. It’s $200 for a special use permit or for the zoning map amendment. I’m double checking that fee. I mean, for them being in violation, because they would have to pay the $200 zoning difference”
  • Source timestamp: 36:12

• Violation Timeline and Process

  • Summary: Discussion outlining a standard process involving a 30-day notice for violations.
  • Evidence: “I could certainly investigate adding another violation typically in these situations we give somebody a warning and if they if you know we contact them and we say hey you’re in violation and then if they they usually have a timeline I think we gave Mr. Garvin’s who runs the studio I believe we gave him 30 days you know when he came to us we said hey you’ve got to get this moving you’ve got to show some progress or else we’ll move Jankowski, James, Aaron, Kevin, Mitt, John, and Tesla, Tom got out of the house before they got caught, just in case Tom got caught. And they were both taken to the hospital. And if they were put in a candidates office, or something like that. And so they don’t actually get kept. And they just don’t want to go into an emergency, or they can just go into a car accident, or whatever, because they’re not willing to make that happen. … Well, then it would be the same process, 30-day notice to come to us, do your proper paperwork, and then after those 30 days would lapse, then we would issue a violation, they would come to an admin hearing and the hearing officer wouldn’t ultimately make a decision. Because they exceeded their 30 days.”
  • Source timestamp: 36:27

• Reason for Initial Violation

  • Summary: A belief that the initial issue stemmed from the business thinking its previous use (yoga studio) granted automatic permission.
  • Attribution: Sellers
  • Evidence: “Sellers. I think I really think that they thought because that was a yoga studio at one time, I think they thought that it was just proper and they could just go in and do it until the neighbors said something. So I think that’s what their problem was. I think they just didn’t know, have the knowledge of knowing that they couldn’t just go in and do that type of business there.”
  • Source timestamp: 38:49

• Nature and zoning of the facility

  • Summary: Discussion regarding whether a facility should be classified as a gym or another term, and the implications for B1 vs. B2 zoning districts.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sanders
  • Evidence: “Alderman Sanders. Yeah. Mr. Duckman, did they explain to you what kind of facility that this was going to be doing and what is the nature of it and not only the nature of it, I know you’re calling it a gym, why is it being redefined to some other terminology or some other language and is it something that’s available to the direct public at large? Yes. So I think maybe I was a little confused. Maybe I just should have been a little more clear, and I apologize for that. So this is staff is saying in general, we have the B1 zoning district, and then we have the B2 zoning district. And then if you’re in the B1, you’re going to have less intense uses than the B2 zoning district.”
  • Source timestamp: 48:14

• Zoning implications for small fitness facilities

  • Summary: Staff explained that B1 zoning is common and it would be beneficial to allow gyms, dojos, or small workout facilities in B1 without requiring a zoning change every time.
  • Attribution: Staff
  • Evidence: “And what staff got together and were talking about was that currently the way it’s structured in our rules is that if you’re going to run a gym, exercise facility as a business owner, you need to be in the B2 zoning district. And we’ve just had two other businesses come in and try to open businesses in the B1 that fit nicely in the community. And they unfortunately had to ask for zoning changes. And when that happens, staff gets together and says, you know, it might be prudent for us to change our rules to better fit our community and the needs of our community.”
  • Source timestamp: 49:13

• Zoning classification preference for fitness centers

  • Summary: Alderman Sellers questioned the use of ‘physical culture centers’ terminology in zoning, suggesting it is overly academic.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sellers
  • Evidence: “Alderman Sellers? Yeah, I just want to know, with the wording of physical culture centers, does that culture, does that mean? I think sometimes zoning, well, I would say probably all the time, zoning is too academic for its own good. They can’t just say, Jim, they have to come up with a fancy word for it.”
  • Source timestamp: 51:30

• Staff goal regarding B1 zoning for fitness facilities

  • Summary: Alderman Stacy confirmed staff aims to keep the facility in B1, and that the proposal is proactive to prevent future mandatory zoning changes.
  • Attribution: Alderman Stacy
  • Evidence: “Alderman Stacy? So they’re wanting to remain a B1. There is no specific person. Staff was trying to be proactive in not requiring every gym to come in and ask for a zoning change. So but how do we pick and choose?”
  • Source timestamp: 51:56

• Legal advice on existing vs. future zoning changes

  • Summary: A participant noted that legal counsel advised that those who started the process must follow the rules at the time of their application, even if staff makes a general change.
  • Attribution: Alderman Stacy
  • Evidence: “I get it and we we actually contacted our legal counsel on that and we said hey This is what’s going on We feel like people are having a little bit of an extra burden and their advice to us was You have to go with what happens at the time of their application So the rule at the time is that they have to re-change their zoning.”
  • Source timestamp: 52:43

• Scope of proposed B1 zoning change for fitness facilities

  • Summary: Discussion confirmed the proposal aims to apply only to physical culture centers within B1, not all businesses or facilities generally.
  • Attribution: Alderman Johnson
  • Evidence: “Does this only apply to physical culture centers or it doesn’t apply to anything else just to that specific entity? Specifically physical culture centers. We’re trying to add that into B1 to save people in the future from having to pay the 200 to rezone every time.”
  • Source timestamp: 53:35

• Staff belief on small athletics facilities in B1

  • Summary: Staff believes a small athletics facility could operate in B1, limited by building and fire code.
  • Attribution: Staff
  • Evidence: “We think that staff believes and we you know in planning commission we talked about we believe that you could run a small athletics facility in a B1 especially since our building and fire code could limit the amount of people or what you could”
  • Source timestamp: 53:54

• Impact of current zoning rules on existing businesses

  • Summary: A participant noted that a business previously operating at B1 level was forced to rezone due to the proposed changes.
  • Attribution: Alderman Stacy
  • Evidence: “But the one that we just spoke about prior to this, they were running their business, so they could have operated at a B1 level. You’re correct. And I brought that to, sorry, go ahead. That mattered to counsel, our legal counsel, and they said, we can make the change, but anybody who started in the process is going to have to go through this before we have.”
  • Source timestamp: 54:29

• Physical Culture Center zoning requirements

  • Summary: The Physical Culture Center ordinance currently requires the facility to be in a B2 zone according to the code.
  • Attribution: Attorney Zito
  • Evidence: “OK, so this one that we’re speaking of, the Physical Culture Center, according to the ordinance, it has to be a B2 right now. Am I correct? Yes.”
  • Source timestamp: 55:54

• Zoning map amendment process for gyms

  • Summary: Staff notes that requiring zoning map amendments every time businesses in B1 zones want to operate as gyms is causing frequent issues, leading to a proposal to change the rule so gyms are allowed in B1 going forward.
  • Attribution: Attorney Zito
  • Evidence: “And so what staff is noticing is that that’s causing a lot of businesses that are in a B1 to say, hey, I gotta come in for a zoning map amendment every single time, right? And that’s happened twice just on this agenda. It may have happened last year a couple of times.”
  • Source timestamp: 56:29

• Determination of B2 or B1 zoning

  • Summary: Zoning is determined by the location based on the city’s zoning map, not solely by lot size.
  • Attribution: Huffines
  • Evidence: “So you’re asking what determines B2 or B1? It depends on the location? Yes. We have a zoning map that we pass an ordinance for every year, and when you buy, it should be disclosed to you, you know, when you’re buying property, you know, your agent or whoever you’re buying from should say, you know, or it’s public knowledge too, you can call the city and ask, what is the zoning on my property?”
  • Source timestamp: 58:05

• Text amendment ordinance scope

  • Summary: The text amendment ordinance is intended to change the standard citywide regarding whether gyms should be allowed in a B1 zone, not for any particular location.
  • Attribution: Attorney Zito
  • Evidence: “So again, this isn’t about a particular B1 zoning district. Is it appropriate to allow for gyms there? We allow them in the B2. Now we’re just saying across the board, should gyms be allowed in a B1 also? Not any particular person, not any particular location or anything.”
  • Source timestamp: 59:02

• BYOB liquor license fee structure changes

  • Summary: The issuance fee for a new BYOB liquor license was raised, but this would not apply to existing licenses; the fee structure shifted to a tiered level based on previous year’s event count.
  • Evidence: “The issuance fee was raised, which would not have applied to an existing BYOB. And we went more to a tiered level based on the number of events in the previous year. That’s what.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:02:32

• Zoning ordinance requirements for liquor sales

  • Summary: A packaged liquor store selling alcohol would require a special use permit, even for a one-day transaction, alongside a license.
  • Evidence: “Our zoning ordinance essentially would be if somebody wants to, Even if you buy, let’s say, if I had a packaged liquor store and I sold it to Darren, Darren would have to go get a special use permit, even if it was one day in transaction.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:03:00

• Special Use Permit vs. Liquor License for BYOB establishments

  • Summary: The current ordinance requires both a special use permit and a liquor license for a new BYOB establishment, whereas the existing written language only required the liquor license.
  • Evidence: “The way that this is proposing is to say in addition to or prior to that liquor license being approved, I would have to go up and ask for a petition for a special use permit. So that’s what we’re voting on today.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:04:33

• Requirement status for existing BYOB establishments

  • Summary: Existing BYOB establishments would not be required to undergo the new process.
  • Evidence: “No. No, I don’t as well.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:04:59

• Zoning clarification regarding serving alcohol

  • Summary: The zoning ordinance needs clarification to state ‘serve’ rather than just ‘sell’ alcohol, which is a minor addition that clarifies the liquor code.
  • Evidence: “And it wasn’t clear. It said as you mentioned before it said you serve alcohol we pointed we pointed out sell alcohol and this is really just a pretty simple addition to say serve understand and it’s not going to change anybody that had or in the future will have a BYOB it just really clarifies it in zoning what we were trying to accomplish through liquor code.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:05:27

• Procedural requirement for BYOB establishments (Zoning vs. Liquor License)

  • Summary: It is procedurally required that BYOB establishments go through both zoning and liquor licensing.
  • Evidence: “Attorney Sito? I was just going to ask because I I think this is where Alderman Stacy was going, is that procedurally right now we require BYOB to go through zoning as well as to get a liquor license, right?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:05:27

• Code language discrepancy for BYOB establishments

  • Summary: The code written language only stated the requirement for a liquor license, but in practice, both zoning and liquor licenses have been required.
  • Evidence: “So this is just housekeeping, cleaning up the language to match what in practice. We’ve had to do both processes in real practice, get zoning and get their liquor license, but the code, the written language only said you got to get the liquor license.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:06:23

• Ground mounted solar panel installation details

  • Summary: The proposed ground-mounted solar panels would be 120 feet from the property line and screened by existing trees on this side of the road, with most of it screened from people driving down.
  • Evidence: “So they’re saying here they’re gonna do 120 feet from the property line. They’re going to have this set of solar panels here which would be screened from their neighbors by these existing trees. This side of the road would be screened from the public and really most of it would be screened from people driving down this direction.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:08:40

• Previous zoning board review for solar panel installation

  • Summary: The proposal was heard on May 1st by the Zoning Board of Appeals, where it was recommended by a vote of five to zero with zero abstentions. On May 8th, the Planning Commission did not recommend approval by a vote of zero to six Dix with one abstention.
  • Evidence: “This was heard on the May 1st on May 1st by our Zoning Board of Appeals and it was recommended by a vote of five to zero with zero abstentions there was Director Steckel did was one of the negative comments one of the people to speak and therefore as a Planning Commission member did abstain from the voting and then also on May 8th the Planning Commission did not recommend approval by a vote of zero to six Dix with one abstention.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:10:07

• Zoning Board vs. Planning Commission hearing authority

  • Summary: The actual hearing portion comes from the Zoning Board of Appeals, while the Planning Commission looks at the petition and makes a recommendation.
  • Evidence: “It’s worth noting that the actual hearing portion comes from the Zoning Board of Appeals, not the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission looks at this type of petition and makes a recommendation, but the true hearing portion comes from our Zoning Board of Appeals.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:10:07

• Motion to allow small ground-mounted solar installation

  • Summary: A motion was made by Alderman Sellers and seconded by Alderman Johnson to allow the installation with the restriction that they follow the attached plan.
  • Evidence: “I think that an argument certainly could be made that the scope of their work is small and that in this situation, you can see what they’re asking for this small area. I think it makes sense in this situation to allow them to do it with with the restriction that they follow the plan as attached. I don’t. So move. I second. We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Johnson.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:11:48

• Ground-mounted solar panel requirements in residential zoning

  • Summary: If one wants to put solar panels on the ground in residential zoning districts (not on a roof or shed), they must go to the Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Commission, and Council for approval of the plan.
  • Evidence: “Once you decide that you would like to put on the ground, in residential zoning districts, if you want to put solar panels on the ground, not on your roof, not on your shed, you want to put them on the ground, you have to go to the Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Commission and Council has to approve your plan of where you want to put the solar panels on the ground.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:13:11

• Potential harm from solar panel installation

  • Summary: One council member stated that concerns about harm are opinions, while another noted that complaints regarding aesthetics are common with residential solar installations.
  • Evidence: “Alderman Johnson? So would harm come to anyone by putting those panels there? Would it harm anyone? I think that’s an opinion. I think that two people specifically said that they feel like it would harm them. That’s their opinion, their right. I think the harm was mostly, I think when, excuse me, I think when in this particular situation and also generally when I hear people, there are, pretty much every time solar comes to residential like this, I can almost guarantee there’s going to be complaints.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:13:50

• Environmental effect of solar panels

  • Summary: A question was raised regarding the environmental effect, such as UV rays or radiation, from the solar panels.
  • Evidence: “Holderman Sanders. Yeah, what kind of environmental effect would this cause more UV rays or any other kind of radiation coming into those local area to power up solar? Because it’s depended upon the environment to sustain any kind of solar panels or whatever.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:15:07

• Solar panel placement and community impact

  • Summary: A speaker expressed concern that solar panels negatively affect the aesthetic appeal of a community, citing the example of a beautiful church being altered by visible panels.
  • Evidence: “I mean the reason they want these solar panels there is so that they can cut their electricity bill. They certainly have the ability to pass the permitting process. We’re not reinventing the wheel in terms of Working in construction, right, I mean, we’ve all driven and seen solar panels built, this is more of making a decision on, is this fit for the community, is this going to be, is the community going to be affected every time they drive by there and go gosh, look at that, you know, it was a beautiful church, and now I’ve got to drive by and look at these solar panels or epht nouveau, essentially that’s part of it.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:15:56

• Physical health concerns regarding solar panel distance from road

  • Summary: A speaker stated they were not aware of physical health concerns related to a solar panel being 383 feet from a road.
  • Evidence: “In terms of physical health, I don’t, I’m I’m not aware of physical health concerns of a solar panel being 383 feet from a road. I don’t see it.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:15:56

• Opposition to ground-mounted solar in Freeport residential areas

  • Summary: A speaker clarified their abstention, stating they are personally opposed to any ground mounted solar whether at the current site or anywhere else in town because of general concerns about expansion into residential properties.
  • Evidence: “So I’m not opposed to this site having solar or any other site. I’m personally opposed to any ground mounted solar whether it would be here or anywhere else in town because of obvious things that I’ve stated before. So it has nothing to do with Harmony Church or this particular location. It’s just, I don’t think the expansion of these types of facilities in Freeport are generally good for properties, especially ones that are zoned residential, which this one is.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:17:06

• Planning Commission recommendation discrepancy regarding solar energy

  • Summary: A speaker questioned why the Planning Commission did not recommend the site, noting previous instances where the Zoning Board of Appeals recommended something and the Planning Commission did not.
  • Evidence: “Board member, Stacy. I find it a little strange that the Planning Commission did not recommend this. I’ve seen that before, too, all their person, Stacy. You know, as I said before, it truly is polarizing.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:17:37

• Special Use Permit function in zoning

  • Summary: A speaker explained that a special use permit allows the Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Commission, and City Council to determine if a specific use fits on a specific parcel.
  • Evidence: “But in this situation, there’s the areas where there’s uses where our zoning code contemplates having a hearing to determine if that use fits for a specific parcel and a special use by its very definition design allows the Zoning Board of Appeals, allows Planning Commission and allows City Council to look at specific properties and say, on this property, it works.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:20:10

• Historical precedent for allowing solar installations in yards/backyards

  • Summary: A speaker stated they could recall two situations where the council allowed such installations: one involving a church and another also involving a church.
  • Evidence: “I can think of two situations where we allowed it. I can think of two, and one of them was a church as well. The other one was a church as well.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:19:01

• Galena Avenue water main repair scope and cost

  • Summary: The area required equipment capable of cutting over a foot of concrete, which the city crew does not possess. The bill would have been at least three times higher if city crews had not assisted.
  • Evidence: “Our city crew is not equipped to do this? So to give you an explanation, Galena Avenue is full concrete under the asphalt, which means full depth. So you actually have to have equipment that’s capable of cutting over a foot of concrete, which we don’t have, it needs to be hired out… And the bill would have been at least three times this had our city crews not helped.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:27:33

• Options for 911 Dispatch Center Cooling System

  • Summary: Discussion confirmed that few options exist for adequate cooling capacity in the 911 dispatch center, making the mini-split an attractive option due to the age and issues with existing units.
  • Evidence: “Alderman Sanders. Would there be advisory for options at this junction when it comes to whether to repair or to purchase or rental or whatever the case may be? As I understand it, in this particular case, there’s really not a lot of options for having enough cooling capacity into the 911 dispatch center. So that’s why the mini split is an attractive option. This one was fairly old and like many of them around City Hall now, we’re starting to have problems with them. So I think we’re probably going to have a few of these coming up, but because it’s and Stacey. I think it was a mission critical to keep the 911 dispatch center up and operating properly. It was necessary to move forward with this.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:31:13

• Funding Source for Dispatch Center AC Repair

  • Summary: Clarification that the repair cost is covered by ETSB funds, not the general fund.
  • Evidence: “Chief, did you want to answer that? Yeah, I mean, unfortunately, it seems like the mini split went out around the same time as the AC. And then just to clarify, so we get ETSB funding every year from the 911 ETSB. That covers some salaries in the dispatch center, but also repairs like this. So this isn’t coming out of the general fund at all. This is just from the money we get from the ETSB to spend on equipment in the dispatch center.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:32:34

• Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Agreement Details

  • Summary: The redevelopment agreement stipulates that any tax increment above the base value resulting from the development will be returned to the developer annually at 75% of the increase, for the lifetime of the TIF district.
  • Evidence: “And when that tax assessment increases, the amount of taxes that they pay is also going to increase. And so this is in line with any and all redevelopment agreements that have come here in my time and the ones that I’ve reviewed in the past and it’s pretty much a textbook redevelopment agreement where any of the increment above their tax base value and especially resulting from this development here, they would receive back on an annual basis of 75% of that increase, that tax increment or increased tax revenue would go back to that developer. And that would go for the lifetime of this TIF district.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:40:25

• TIF District Timeline and Compensation Cap

  • Summary: The current TIF district ends in 2029, meaning payments would last for four years. Staff proposed capping total compensation at $50,000.
  • Evidence: “This TIF district ends in 2029, so they would essentially receive four years of payments. It’s also important to note that what’s being proposed by staff is that this would cap total compensation for this development to the developer would not exceed $50,000.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:41:12

• TIF Compensation Limitation Basis

  • Summary: The redevelopment agreement limits compensation to one third of the total value proposed by the developer for the development.
  • Evidence: “However, in line with prior agreements, we do limit the amount of compensation in our TIF districts. In line with others, this is one third of the total value that they’re proposing to put into this development.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:41:52

• Job Creation Inquiry for Development

  • Summary: A question was raised regarding the number of jobs the development would provide, with an initial estimate suggesting no more than three to five job creations.
  • Evidence: “Mr. Duckman, I hear the improvements. Question is what jobs will they be providing because it sounds like they’re just going to be storing stuff there or like how is that going to work? I don’t have the exact number of jobs, but I do know that he said he’s going to have staff members bringing the equipment in and out quite frequently. So I don’t anticipate this bringing more than three jobs to be honest. But I would have to consult with him to get an exact number. But to your point, I don’t anticipate this being a more than three to five job creation.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:42:53

• Site Improvements and Drainage Responsibility

  • Summary: Discussion confirmed that the proposed improvements include fixing the parking lot for increased site drainage, which was clarified not to affect water billing or fall on private property in a way that increases city water bills.
  • Evidence: “The idea is that they would be fixing their parking lot to increase the site drainage. Okay, so if the TIF district is extended, will their cutoff still be 2029? Their cutoff will still be $50,000. That will not change because it says for the life of the district… I think that’s the way that it’s going to be.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:44:21

• TIF Extension Period and Procedure

  • Summary: The maximum extension period for a TIF district is 12 years per ordinance/statute, and speakers were reminded of proper parliamentary procedure regarding speaking time.
  • Evidence: “If it gets extended another 12 years, which is per ordinance, per statute, what you can extend a TIF district is 12 years… So technically you don’t just get it back. So that would be a second. So instead of speaking twice on a, wait a minute, instead of speaking twice to a subject, you have actually had the floor like four or five I just want to remind you of how that works.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:45:18

• Job Creation Potential for Existing Business Growth

  • Summary: A speaker noted that the business is owned by Mr. Miller and plans to grow it, potentially adding two to three significant jobs beyond the current operation.
  • Evidence: “This is an existing building that was started 20-some years ago by Brook Wagner. Miller, and he’s since retired, sold the business to Mr. Miller, and Mr. Miller wants to grow the business. He’s already purchased one exceptionally large crane over and above the one that Mr. Mr. Wagner used to run alone… So at least there’s going to be two to three jobs there, but they’re significant jobs.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:46:12

• Water/Drainage Impact of Redevelopment

  • Summary: A final discussion point addressed whether redeveloping the parking lot for runoff and drainage would increase the water bill or affect the current water supply.
  • Evidence: “I understand that you talked about a drainage system, a property altering its property development and creating drainage systems. That does affect the water process and are we gonna increase their water bill or are they receiving water at this time? We’re not gonna increase their water bill.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:47:14

• Impact of property redevelopment on city infrastructure and water billing

  • Summary: Discussion regarding the impact of redeveloping a site, including drainage systems, potential effects on water bills, and whether road/sidewalk improvements are part of the plan.
  • Evidence: “I think it’s It’s nice that to bring his business here, I mean if you’ve driven by the site, it could use a facelift, you know, it’s going to be nice for the area and I think to your point I mean two to three jobs is my estimate, that’s two to three jobs we didn’t have and a site that’s, you know, kind of in average condition, closer to poor condition, to have the property I understand that you talked about a drainage system, a property altering its property development and creating drainage systems. That does affect the water process and are we gonna increase their water bill or are they receiving water at this time? We’re not gonna increase their water bill. No, I’m just saying because if you’re gonna redevelop that parking lot or that area for runoff, drainage for the parking lot, then that does come into play. It allows a flow to come back into the city drainage system and with the changing of the development of that property. And not only that, the frontal place of that to beautify and to upgrade, to bring better structure to that area, then I don’t know if we have a plan We have a plan for road conditions, sidewalk conditions, any of those kinds of things that’s going to be part of the plan when it comes to changing the structure of that area, when it comes to that business. I just wanted to know that because I just wanted to know that because we’re talking whether or not the taxpayer is gonna be effect, you know, is that placed earmark or does have a benchmark for redevelopment in front of this property when it comes to road condition? I don’t know if we put roads in there yet, new roads in there. And so if we’re talking about all of these kinds of things, We have to have the monies to even work with that because that’s not part of the plan. If it’s not in the plan, then I’d like to know that as well, how much the taxpayers got to have or what the kind of increase that needs to be done for this property when it comes to drainage.”

• Drainage runoff requirements during site redevelopment

  • Summary: State law requires that whatever runoff was going off the site as of today, any site improvements must equal that post-improvement runoff. The civil engineering industry reviews projects to ensure this balance.
  • Evidence: “Well, a couple of things here. Rest assured that state law requires that whatever runoff was going off the site as of today, whatever site improvements you make, it has to be equal to that post-improvement. And the way you assure that is the civil engineering industry almost exists entirely on that principle. I’m not going to say entirely, but they spend 8, 10, 12 hours a day reviewing projects to make sure that the water that was running off the site before is equal to the runoff post development. So that will be reviewed when they have their parking lot design.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:50:26

• Water billing for drainage and drinking water

  • Summary: The city charges a flat rate every month for water, not by the gallon. The amount of runoff going into the box culvert remains the same regardless of development.
  • Evidence: “No, it’s actually the same amount of water. It’d still be going into that box culvert. Now, as far as drinking water is concerned, they’ll probably use about the same amount. Oh, we don’t charge for the drain off at property? Not by the gallon, we charge every month. It’s a flat rate every month, yeah. You do charge something, don’t you? Yes, a flat rate across the board every month. That’s for everyone? Everyone, yeah. Everybody? Yep.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:51:54

• Utility use of portable AC unit

  • Summary: Discussion confirming the portability and emergency utility for the purchased AC unit.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sanders
  • Evidence: “Alderman Sanders. Yes, so because it’s portable, and there’s an emergency throughout the city is what we’re saying. That this particular item would be able to utilize for any area throughout the city at any given time at the purchase price of what?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:55:34

• Portable AC unit utility and cost

  • Summary: Discussion regarding the portable nature of the AC unit, its use throughout the city in emergencies, and comparison to renting units.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sanders
  • Evidence: “Alderman Sanders. Yes, so because it’s portable, and there’s an emergency throughout the city is what we’re saying. That this particular item would be able to utilize for any area throughout the city at any given time at the purchase price of what? What are we talking about? Well, the actual cost is $11,000, but this portable unit’s an industrial air conditioner that you would put in under emergency circumstances. So if we had an issue with the bath blowers, we’ve got a lot of variable frequency drives there. If we had anything go down, we would actually have some way of dealing with the situation right away. And we learned dealing with the police department Huffines. I think that renting units gets very expensive very quick and so by having our own on hand that’s going to save us money long-term in emergencies when it’s related to heat.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:55:34

• AC unit warranty details

  • Summary: Inquiry about the warranty period for the purchased air conditioner unit.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sellers
  • Evidence: “Alderman Sellers? Yeah, I’d just like to know what is the warranty on this air condition? I’m going to have to. I believe it’s a 12-month warranty but it’s an industrial unit and most units like this only have a 12-month warranty.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:56:36

• Funding split for water and sewer budgets

  • Summary: Question regarding the nature of a ‘50-50 split’ between water and sewer budgets.
  • Attribution: Alderman Shadle
  • Evidence: “Oldham and Stacy, did you have a hand up? What is this 50-50 split? That’s to basically split it between the water and the sewer budgets.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:57:04

• Insurance fallback for AC repair

  • Summary: Question regarding available insurance coverage for auxiliary cooling needs during electrical room repairs.
  • Attribution: Alderman Shadle
  • Evidence: “Oldham and Stacy? Is there no insurance that we could fall back on? Not in this case. The repair of the air conditioner was repaired under, I think, in this particular case, warranty, but there’s no way for us to preserve the variable frequency drives in that electrical room without some auxiliary cooling, and that’s not paid for through warranty work.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:57:16

• Future Vehicle Needs and Dump Trucks

  • Summary: Discussion regarding the need to rotate vehicle inventory every couple years, with a specific mention of planning for large dump trucks.
  • Evidence: “Yeah, the idea is to try to, you know, turn our inventory of vehicles every couple years. It’s really budget dependent. It really depends a lot on how the budget works out and if we think we can get by with what we have for a little while, we do. But we do need to start rotating some of this out and just on that note, one of the things we are planning for and will need to continue to plan for is large dump trucks.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:01:57

• Plows Requirement for New Vehicles

  • Summary: Alderman Sanders confirmed that plows are needed on the two pickups because it is difficult to use big plows downtown or at water and sewer facilities due to lack of room.
  • Evidence: “Yep. When we get in the winter months, we need to have more vehicles outside of our big heavy duty trucks that have plows on them. It’s very difficult to use the big plows downtown. At some of the water and sewer facilities, there’s just not enough room to use one of our big trucks.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:04:08

• Demolition Bid Details for 17-19 West Main Street

  • Summary: Fowler Enterprises and Green Demolition withdrew their bids due to critical errors in bid specification requirements, as neither party attended the non-mandatory bid informational meeting or understood the detailed scope of work. Fishers Excavating is the lowest responsible bidder.
  • Attribution: Staff
  • Evidence: “After the bid was opened, Fowler Enterprises and Green Demolition informed the city that they had made a critical error and they were withdrawing their bids. Their bid specification requirements were incorrect. So neither party has staff attended to the non-mandatory bid informational meeting and neither party understood the detailed scope of the work that was required. So Fishers Excavating is the lowest responsible bidder and staff requests moving forward with the Fisher bid for $1,145,456 for for the demolition of 17 and 19 Main Street.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:06:22

• Demolition Bid Cost and Funding Details

  • Summary: The winning bid was $1,145,456. The site is two contaminated brownfield sites in downtown Freeport adjacent to another building that needs support; the project is grant funded.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sanders
  • Evidence: “City Manager, what was those numbers again? The winning bid was $1,145,456. How much was the square acres on that building? I don’t have the square acreage, all I can tell you is that it’s two contaminated brownfield sites in downtown Freeport that’s adjacent to another building that needs to be supported and protected and these all drive the cost very high and by the way, this is all, this is grant funded.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:07:07

Public Comment

• Signage for dog-related business

  • Summary: A resident requested help ensuring compliance regarding a sign for their dog-related business located in a residential neighborhood.
  • Attribution: David Artman
  • Evidence: “That’s very cool I just wanted to be a face for you guys tonight item number 11 tonight that you’ll be voting on has to do with a sign for my business on my garage I’ve had my business for seven years I love my business I love this city the sign is what helps people be able to find which garage in a residential neighborhood they need to bring their dog to so I just hope that you guys can help me make sure that we’re in compliance we came with an Huffines.”
  • Source timestamp: 11:04

• Discretionary consideration for new residents regarding fees

  • Summary: A suggestion was made for a discretionary process on the planning committee or community development/public works to potentially grant a break to individuals who received permits just before a council vote, concerning a $250 fee.
  • Attribution: Sue Cook
  • Evidence: “Hi there, Sue Cook, Winchester Drive. I have a question about or a suggestion possibly on number 12 when you guys are going back and forth about these people are getting their gyms today, but going forward they’re not going to have to worry about that $250. Could there be a discretionary so that if these people are coming, the ones that just got in today before the vote in the council, could there be a discretionary on the planning committee or community development, public works that would say, you know what, We’re gonna give this to you. Could there possibly be that so that you’re able to allow them since they’re so close to the wire, literally right before the vote to maybe give them a little break? And that way it would kind of go with what.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:17:52

Proclamations and Recognitions

• Certificate of Recognition for Detective Justice Holden

  • Summary: Detective Justice Holden received a Certificate of Recognition for his efforts combating gun violence in the city of Freeport for the year 2024.
  • Evidence: “Item number three is certificate of recognition, Chief Shenberger. Thanks for everybody for being here tonight. So at the beginning of the year, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police requested any submissions for awards. They have a variety of awards. I submitted awards for three different officers. One of them got an honorable mention. However, Detective Holden, he just received the nomination for a Certificate of Recognition, and it’s for his efforts for combating gun violence in the city of Freeport, and that was for the year 2024.”
  • Source timestamp: 06:33

• Detective Justice Holden’s service and achievements

  • Summary: Detective Justice Holden has been a police officer with the Freeport Police Department for seven years and was recognized for his efforts in 2024.
  • Evidence: “Detective Justice Holden has been a police officer with the Freeport Police Department for seven years. In 2021, Detective Holden served in a gang unit where he displayed a passion for utilizing technological resources and confidential sources of information to develop cases involving legally possessed firearms and narcotics. Detective Holden has a vast knowledge of local hybrid gangs and other individuals who plagued our city with incidents of gun violence. In 2023, Detective Holden became the department’s first gang detective and his main role was to proactively target those who engaged in crimes related to gun violence. In 2024, Detective Holden was responsible for seizing a total of 26 firearms during criminal investigations. The list of firearms included four shotguns, three rifles, and 19 handguns.”
  • Source timestamp: 07:31

• Detective Bolton’s service and achievements

  • Summary: Detective Bolton was recognized in 2024 for seizing his 100th illegally possessed firearm.
  • Evidence: “Huffines. Detective Bolton was recognized in 2024 for seizing his 100th illegally possessed firearm. Detective Bolton has a great working relationship with the state’s attorney’s office and has addressed and successful prosecution of the defendants. Detective Bolton sincerely cares about the community he serves and plays a major role in fulfilling the department’s mission to provide a safe living and working environment to the citizens of Preport.”
  • Source timestamp: 08:09

• John Cabello recognition for water ambassador status

  • Summary: John M. Cabello received congratulations for being recognized by the Illinois section American Water Works Association as a gold level water ambassador community.
  • Attribution: John M. Cabello
  • Evidence: “dear city of Freeport officials I’m extending my heartfelt congratulations to the city of Freeport I’m being recognized by the Illinois section American Water Works Association as a gold level water ambassador community this achievement is a testament to your commitment to sustainability efficiency and the Wellbeing of our community, providing safe, clean, and real. And the dedication of each member of the City of Freeport’s team.”
  • Source timestamp: 09:25

Attendance

• Roll Call Attendance
  • Summary: Klemm, Johnson, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, and Sellers were present. Simmons and Parker were absent.
  • Evidence: “Mayor Miller? Here. Alderpersons, Klemm? Here. Johnson? Here. Simmons is absent and Parker is absent. Stacy? Here. Shadle? Here. Sanders? Here. And Sellers? Yeah.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:47